Remote control system



Feb. 5, 1935. E. F, CHANDLER Rel19,445

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Jure 21 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 am MM.,

Re. v19,445

Feb. 5., 1935.

E. F. CHANDLER REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Original. Filed June 21, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QQT INVENTOR ATTORNEY mama Feb. 5,1935

Re. 19,445 f PATENT OFFICE more common ysr's'ran Enma F. Brooklyn, N. Y.

Original No. 1,678,634, dated July 31, 1928, No. 646,749, June 2l, 1923. Application for.

reissue July 16, 1930, Serial No. 468,422

This invention rela'tes to remote control systems for operating, valvesand similar mechanism. It is one of the objects of the invention to prevent jamming or breaking of thev valve parts by overdriving at,the end of the opening or closing movement and to prevent overloading of the motor. I

' In the preferredv embodiment, a slip clutch is provided which is rendered substantially nonslipping when thevalve is being started from its open or closed position or during the travel of the valve but which is designed to slip when the valve nears the limit of its movement in either direction. The slipping of the clutch as` the valve nears the limit of its movement automatically turns oi the power to the motor to' stop further driving of the clutch mechanism and prevent jamming or breaking of the valve or control unit.

in relating to the signal system are disclosed and claimed in my pending application, Serial No. 578,402, for remote control system, med July 29, 1922, and certain features relating to the valve controlling mechanism are disclosed and claimed in my pending application, Serial No.- 590,854 for remote control systems, filed September 27, 1922'. -f

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one form'of wiring circuit for the control system, using 7a mechanically controlled clutch.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the control unit along the valve drive shaft showing the means for rendering the clutch non-slipping when starting the valve from open orclosed position.

h. 3 is a partial sectional view along the motor s Fig. 4 is a side view of the control switch and panel board for automatically stopping the motor and setting the circuit for reverse operation when the clutch begins to slip.

Fig. 5 is a detailnshowing the clutch in nonslipping position.

Fig. 6 is a detail showing the clutch in slipping position. l

Fig. 'I is a tic view. of one form of wiring circuit in which 'an electrically controlled clutch is used. y

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the control unit. v

Fig. 9 is a detail showing of the lost motion 50 connection between the motor shaft and the worm.

' Flg.110 is a part sectional view ofthe clutch;

Fig. 11 is a detail of the circuit controlling mechanism. 55 In the embodiment l Y illustrated m mau toV Certain features disclosed but not claimed herethe operating mechanismcomprises a motor M and the control unit C. The motor shaft 1 is detachably connected to a worm shaft 2 in the control unit by the connection 3 so that the motor may be quickly removed from the control unit 5 for repairs, and other purposes.- i

The worm vshaft2 mounted in ball bearings 2* carries a worm 4 which meshes with a worm wheel 5 loosely mounted'upon the valve drive shaft 6 which by means of suitable external gear- 10 ing is connected so as to drive the valve. In order to rotate the shaft 6, the face of worm wheel 5 is provided with clutch teeth 7 which cooperate with the clutch teeth 8 upon the. slip clutch 9. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the clutch teeth are so designed as to be substantially nonslipping when in fully engaged position but are' designed so as to slip in the partially engaged position when a predetermined resistance is metv with in the valve operation. i, v -l The shaft 6 is provided with a squared portion 10 upon which the sleeve 11 is slidably moimted, so as to render the slip clutch 9 substantially nonslippingv when the sleeve 11 is slid on the shaft toward the worm wheel 5.

vThe slip clutch 9 is keyed to turn with the sleeve 11 by a key 12 which permits longitudinal movement between the clutch and sleeve. A spring 13 urges the clutch toward the partially engaged position illustrated in Fig. 6 and is of suiiicientstrength to hold the clutch in partially engaged position to ordinarily keep the valve in motion when it has been started from one position to the other, but will permit the clutch to slip when the furthermovement of the valve is obstructed as by the valve reaching the limit of its movement in 'either direction. A y

To render the clutch substantially nan-slipping when the most power is needed as, for instance,` to start the valve from its open or closed position, means are provided for sliding the sleeve 11 upwardly on the squared portion 10 when the motor is started. to cause full. yengagement of clutch teeth -7 and 8, as illustrated in Fig. 5. This means comprises a gear sector 14 ilxedupon 'a shaft 15 rotatable in a bearing 16 in thecontrol unit casing.. When the motor M is started and the sector 14, meshing with the worm 4 is turned from one' side ofthe casing to the other, the camv l'l upon the opposite end of the sector 14 'rides upon the roller 18 in one end of the forked clutch operating lever 19-and causes the lever to turn upon its pivots 20 to elevate the grooved collar 21, into which studs 19* on the clutch lever project upon shaft 6 and'push thesleeve 11 up- 5l wardly to-cause full lengagement of the clutch teeth during the starting movement. When the heel of the cam 17 passes over the roller 18 the spring 22 forces` the end of lever 19 upward to partially disengage the clutch. However, by this time the valve has been started toward its desired position and the `action of spring 13 holding the clutch in partially engaged position is strong yenough to keep the valve in motion until of valve travel vhas been reached, in which eventv obviously, the cam can be adjusted by increasing the dwell on the `highest part, so that the clutch is retained in the positive driving position throughout substantially the entire travel of the valve.

While for the purpose of this application, the

cam is illustrated as driven by the worm direct and hence the travel is relatively fast, it will be understood that by well known means, vthe travel of the cam may be timed to correspond to any desired valve travel.

The sector 14 in either of its extreme positions is urged inwardly toward the worm 4 by the spring pressed plungers 23 so that when the motor is reversed after driving the sector to one side, the sector is in position to mesh with the worm rotating in the opposite direction ,to be driven to the other side and start the. valve in the opposite direction.

Itis to be noted that by this arrangement the mftor vis speeded up and has started to turn the prevent stalling the motor by throwing on the full load too soon. The cam 17 is suitably shaped to prevent the clutch slipping when the motor has just started.

A In order to shut of! the power to the motor l when the clutch begins slipping, the end of stud shaft 15 which extends through the' bearing 16 is provided with an arm 24 which rotates therewith and with an insulated contact arm 25 loosely pivoted on the shaft. The arm 25 is moved by a spring 26 wound on the shai't- 15, and attached at one end to arm 25 and at the other to the stud 27 on the arm 24. As thearm 24 is rotated in either direction, energy is stored in the 4spring 26 which tends to rotate the contact clutch begins slipping at the end of the valve movement, the jumping thereof causes the rod 30 to turn and 'swing the-dog 28 aside to release the catch 29 and allow the contact arm 25 to snap oi! the contacts 31 and shut oil' the power to the motor. Stops 25* and 251 limit the movement of the arm 25 so that it always bridges contacts 31 or 31? except for the short time it takes for arm 25 to snap from one position to the other. Detachable'cover plates 32 and 33 are provided to give ready access respectively, to the panel board 39v and to the ball bearings 2'* for worm shaft 2. Y y `liig; 1 illustrates diagrammatically the -posltion of the parts when the valve is closed and the motor stopped. The current coming in through the lead 34 passes 4along the .conductor 35 and through the light R, which is of high resistance, to the contact arm 25, thence along the conductor 42, through the armature 43 to the contacts 45 and arm 37,' then through thefleld 38 back to the line. The high resistance of the lamp R permits only a feeble current to now through the motor, and the control unit is not -v moved by this current. When the operator desires to open the valve he closes the magnetic switch 39 which sends thecurrent along the conductor 40 to the contacts 31, along conductor 42 through the amature 43 back to contacts 45, arm 37 and 4thence through the field 38 to the line. The current thus shunted around the lamp R is suiilcient to start the opening movement.

When the valve yreaches its open position, the

' the armature 43 in reverse direction to the contacts 45?, arm 37, i'leld 38 and back to the line.

The high resistance of the lamp G also preventsmovement of the motor until the switch 39` is again closed to shunt the current around the lamp. When the switch is closed the current Hows along the conductor to the contacts 31, through lead 46 reversely` through the armature 43, contacts 45s and back through field 38 to the .line-, to operate the motor'in thereverse direction and close the valve. At the end of the closing operationthe slipping of the clutch againv permits arms 25 and 37 to snap over to contacts 31 and 45 respectively, to set the circuit for the next opening of the valve.

It is to be noted that one of lthe lamps is' always glowing except during the opening or closing movement to indicate to the operator the position the valve is in.

A hand switch 106 is provided in conductor 404 to cut ofi' the current and stop the movement of the valve in any position. In both modiflcations M designates the motor and C the control unit and both units are provided with a flange 50.having holes 51 for quick attachment to the valve casing.

The modification illustrated in 7 to ll comprises a similarslip clutch' with electrical means for rendering it substantially non-slipping when the valve is being set in motion.

The motor shaft 52 is provided with collars` 53 and 54 between which the worm 55 is looselyV- carried on the shaft. A lug 56 upon the collar 53 cooperates' with the' lug 57 on the worm to ferm a loose driving connection between the' motor and the worm to allow a certain amount of lost motion in starting-the valve to permit the motor to pick up speed before the .load is applied.

The worm drives the worm wheel 56, which loosely rotates on the valve drive shaft 57. Upon one face the worm wheel carries a set of clutch teeth 58 adapted to cooperate' with the teeth 59 of the clutch 60 to drive the shaft, as will be described laten The other face of the worm wheel is doweled at 61 to the collar 62 which also is loose upon the drive shaft 57.

Frictionally mounted upon the collar 62 by 1 ians of a split band 63* connected by thescrew 6"', is an insulated contact arm 63 which turns t. .th ythe collar from stop 64 to stop 65 or vice versa, ,but slides on the collar when inv contact seat or at open position, a magnet 67 is providedv tc throw the clutch into full engagement.

The construction of the clutch 60 is substantially like that illustrated in Fig. 2 which has been described in detail and comprises a similar squared 4shaft 60, sleeve 60", spline key 60% etc.

When the magnet is energized it draws up the ai nature 68 to turn the clutchlever 69 about it pivot v70 to cause the grooved collar 71 to slide along the valve drive shaft and force the clutch teeth into full engagement, spring 67'L servingto partially release the clutchwhen the magnet is de-energized. In operation the contacts 72 and 73 serve to short circuit the magnet 67 when bridged by the contact arm 63 so that when the motor is started the magnet is short circuited through the contacts 72. However, as

the arm 63 is Aturned oil the contacts 72 the magnet is energized to push the clutch 4into full engagement to prevent slipping while the valve` is started from its seat.` Meanwhile the arm 63 turns to position to bridge contacts 73 and 'again short circuit the magnet whichcauses a partial release of the clutch to 'permit slipping and prevent breakage or jamming when the valve reaches the limit of its movement` The slipping of the clutch, when the valve reaches the limit of its opening or closing movement, kicks the lever 74 (see Fig. 11), which is pivoted in the casing at 75 and causes the pawl nose 76 to push the contact arm 77 oil! the con-' tacts 78 to break the circuit and stop the motor. The pawl nose 79, however,` coming in contact with the stop 80 causes the pawl to turn on its pivot against the inuence of spring 81 to-release the nose 76 from the arm 77 and permit the spring 82 to return the arm to the contacts 78 to set the. circuit for the next operation of the valve, as will now be described. The stop 83 is provided to limit the downward movement of lever 74.

A drum controller 84, having contacts 85, 86, 87 and 88, is used to control the circuits for 'opening or closing the valve. The'controller is biased to .neutral position by the spring 89 and is held in operating position by the armature dog 90 controlled by magnet 91, which ilts in notchesA 92 and 93 upon the drum. Signal lights G and `R, which may bel green and red, are provided for indicating, respectively, that the valve is being opened or closed.

In operation, the controller is turned to the position indicated .in Figure 7 and locked by the dog 90. The current iiows through the switch 77, ileld 94, and is short circuited around magnet 67 through contacts 72 to the contact 95, thence to contact 96 through the motor armature 94* and back to contact 86 Ithrough contact 97, along lead 100 to magnet 91 and back to the line. As the motor begins turning, the arm k63 is moved off the contacts 72, as before described. to send the current through magnet 67 to cause full engagement of the clutch in order tov'start the valve from its seat. When the contact arm 63 reaches the contacts 73 the magnet 67 is again short circuited and the clutch is partially released, however, the'valve is nowin motion and the partial engagement of the clutch is suilicient to keep it moving until it reaches the limit of its stroke, when the resistancev to further driving will cause the' clutch to slip and kick the arm 77 oil' the contacts 78 to de-energize themagnet 91. Thespring 101 then releases the dog 90 and the controller 84 is pulled back to neutral position by the spring 89. Meanwhile the arm 77 has returned to the contacts 78 to reset the circuit forv 4the next operation,V whenv the 'drum 84 is Aagain turned to move the valve. Du'ring the movement., of the valve just described, a shuntv current flows through the lamp G to indicate that the valve is being opened and when the drum 84 'is turned to its neutral position, at the end of the opening movement.' the connection at 95l is broken and the lamp extinguished. To close the valve the operator vnow turns the drum 84 until the dog 90A slips into the notch 93, whereupon the current flows through the contact 99 across drum contact 88 to 98 and in reversed direction through the motor armature to contact 96 thence through 87 to-97 through lead 100 and'back to the line. A shunt current also flows through contact 99'L to the light R to indicate that-the valve is being closed.Y If, when the valve is in open position the operator should set the drum to again open the valve, the switch 63 would remain stationary against stop 94 and the starting of the motor would causeth'e clutch to slip and kick out switch 77 whereupon the drum would again return to neutral position.

In this modiiicationxalso, the clutch has been described as being in positive driving position only during the starting of the valve movement; however it is obvious that should it be desirable to continue the positive drive until the valve has reached the limit of its travel, the movement of 'switch' 63 could be so timed or the contacts 72 Ashaftand drive the control mechanism.

While for the purpose of this application the slip clutch mechanism has been shown and decribed as functioning principally as a means affording substantially positive driving power only during certain limited portions of the travel, it will be understood that I may moreover employ the slip clutch in such a Amanner that a substantially positive drive is aiorded 'throughout the operation ofthe valve or other mechanism under control, the slipping feature only being brought into action -at the limits of travel.

'I'hus the inventive idea herein disclosed may be employed in conjunction with al valve operating unit such as disclosed in applications Serial NOS. 578,402 and 590,854,led Ju1y`29, 1 922 and September 27, 1922, respectively, in such a manner that when the valve has reached its seat,

ythe slip clutch will become effective `so that over travel, as for instance bythe momentum of the motor armature, would be prevented, after the many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it being my intention to claim the same as broadly as the state of the prior art will permit.

What I claim is:

1.V In a reversible device and other apparatus, an operating shaft, a motor for driving said shaft, .means connecting the lshaft and motor and adapted to permit rotation of the motorl when the said shaft has been driven to its limit of travel in either direction so as to avoid an undue strain on the motor and its associated parts, means for setting the device into i operation in opposite directions and control means operable upon the starting of the motor for positively connecting the motor Yand shaft regardless of the direction of operation, to initiate rotation of the shaft positively.

2. In a control device', a driven shaft. a motor, a slip clutch between the shaft and motor and motor operated means to prevent the clutch 'from slipping when the driving of the shaft is initiated. j

3. A control unit comprising in combination a motor, a driven shaft, a slipclutch between the motor and shaft, and means operated by the motor independently of the driven shaft and gradually made effective by the motor to render the clutch positive in its action during a predetermined interval of time. f,

4. A control unit comprising a motor, a driven shaft and a partially engar'ed clutch between the motor and the shaft, motor operated means to fully engage the clutch when the shaft is being started, and means to release the clutch to par.- tially engaged position to permit slipping thereof when the movement of. the driven shaft is obstructed.

5. In a' control unit comprising a motor, a drivenshaft, and a partially engaged clutch between the motor and shaft, and motor operated means to fully engage kthe clutch when the shaft is being started. and to release the clutch to par#- tially engaged position to permit slipping thereof after the shaft has been started.

, means to release the clutch to partially engaged position to permit slipping thereof when the shaft reaches the limit of its movement' in either direction, and means to stop tlf i motor when the clutch begins slipping.

,7. In a control unit, a motor, a driven shaft and means to drive the shaft from the motor comprising a slip clutch, controlling means constructed and arrangedfto permit the clutch to slip while the motor speeds up from a state of rest, but to prevent the clutch from slipping to apply a full drive to the shaft when the motor has speeded up. and means to restore the clutch to for operating valves l slipping position when the loadhas been taken oil the motor.

8. In a valve operating unit, a motor,means to drive the valve from the motor'inppposite directions including a slip clutch, and means operated by the motor to prevent slipping of the clutch when the valve is being started from either open or closed position.

9. .Ina valve operating unit, a motor, means clutch, automatic means to prevent slipping of the clutch when the valve is being started from open or closed position, means to partially release the clutch to permit slipping when the valve approaches either limit of its movement, and means to stop the motor when the clutch begins slippins.

' 11. In a valve operating unit, a motor, means to drive the valve from the motor, means acting on said driving means to apply the full power of the motor when starting the valve from its. seat, and means acting on said driving means to prevent further driving of thel vlalve when it reaches the limit of its movement.

12. In a valve operating unit, a motnr, means to drive the valve from the motor, a driving train to apply the full power of the motor in a substantially positive manner when starting the valve from its seat, and means rendering the driving train impositivo in its action before the valve reaches the limit of its movement.

13. In a control unit, a motor, a valve drive shaft and means to drive the shaft from the motor comprising a slip clutch, and means driven by the motor to render the clutch substantially non-slipping at a predetermined period of its movement.

14. In a control unit, a motor, a valve drive shaft and means to drive the shaft from the motor comprising a slip clutch, and means driven by the motor to render the clutch substantially non-slipping when the shaft is being started and to permit slipping when the valve approaches the limit of its movement in either direction.

15. In a control unit. a motor, a valve drive shaft and means to drive the shaft from the motor comprising a partially engaged slip clutch, a clutch lever attached to move the clutch into full engagement to prevent slipping, and mag.- netic means operated by the motor to control th clutch lever.

i6. In a control unit, a motor, a valve drive shaft and means to drive the shaft from the mo.- tor including a clutch, means to normally hold the' clutch elements in partial engagement to permit the drive shaft is obstructed, magnetic` means to move the clutch elements into full engagement to 19,445 `prevent slipping. andmeans actuated by ,the

motor to energize the magnet to vfully apply the clutch to prevent slipping when the valve is be ing started from its open or closed position, and to de-energize the magnet after the valve has been started to permit slipping of the clutch whenthe -valve reaches the end of its opening or closing movement. 1

18. In a control unit for valves and the like, a motor, a valve drive shaft andmeans to drive the shaft from the motor including slipk clutch, automatic means to permit the motor to speed up before the drive shaft is started, automatic means to prevent the clutch from slipping when the cuit to the motor, means to permit slipping of the clutch when the valve reaches the limit of its movement in one direction, and means actuated by the slipping of the clutch to permit the switch arm to stop the motor and reset the circuit for moving the valve in the opposite direction when the circuit is again closed. y

20. In a valve operating unit, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a slip clutch between the motor and shaft, means for causing Athe clutch to drivev without slipping, means for setting the clutch so that slipping will occurwhen the valve is driven to its seat, and means operable when the valve has been 'so driven,`to automatically interrupt the supply of power tothe motor.

21. A unitary driving mechanism for valves and other devices comprising afdriven member, a driving motor, a speed reducing connection, a clutch between the motor and the driven member, means for rendering the clutch responsive to anoverload whereby the drive Vis momentarily rendered ineffective, and means controlled by said means for discontinuing the supply of energy to "tor therefor; means for automatically controlling r the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining theextents of movements of the valve in both closing andopening directions, said means including means actuated by the movement. oi the motor after the valve is closed for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative to apply power to the valve actuating mechanism.

23. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valveactuating mechao nism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said -means including means actuated by movement of the motor upon cessation of movement of the valve. actuating o mechanism for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative to apply power to the valve actuating mechanism.

24. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism anda. driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating 5 mechanism and for automatically determining the extents oi' movements of the valve in both anismoperated upon'cessation of movement of the valve for rendering the motor .temporarily inoperative to apply power to the valve actuating mechanism.y

25. In a valve control, valve-actuating mechanism; a driving motor'therefor; means operated by the motor after the valve is closed for rendering the motor -temporarily inoperative to apply powerlto the valve-actuating mechanism; and means ioragain making said motor operative to apply powerln closing direction to the valveactuating mechanism, said last-named means being operative nwhile the valve is closed.`

l 26. In a valve opening'and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a drivingmotor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and 'for automatically determining` the`extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including means operative when the valve is closed for repeatedly operating the motor in valve closing direction without reversing the same to drive-the valve nrmly into its seat. e

27. In a valve opening and closing device having a valve actuating `mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents oi' movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including means controlled by the reaction resulting ,from cessation of movement of the valve and continued driving force of the motor and actuated by the movement of the motor for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative to apply further power to the valve-actuating mechanism.

28. In a valve opening and closing device hav- .ing valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motorV and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including means operative when the load of the motor reaches a predetermined point and controlled by the continued operation of the motor im. rendering the motor temporarily inoperative t.; apply power to the valve actuating mechanism.

29. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving mo- `tor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements `of the `valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically'determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing andopening directions, said means including means actuated by the movement of the motor after the valve is closed for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative to apply power to the valve actuating mechanism; a switch for controlling the motor circuit; and means operated by the motor after cessation of movement of the valve actuating mechanism for operating the switch to cause the motor circuit to be broken and temporarily render the motor inoperative to apply power to the valve actuating mechanism.-

v30. In a valve opening and closing device havtor therefor; means for automatically `controlling the closing and opening'movements oi the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including an electric circuit control for controlling the eiectiveness of the motor on the valve actuating mechanism, and means operated by the motor after cessation oi' n vement o! the valve actuating mechanism for operating the circuit control to render the motor inoperative fteV apply power to the valve actuating mechanism; and means to automatically re-l turn the circuit control to its initial condition upon cessation of movement of the motor.

31. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in bothv closing and opening directions, said means including an electric circuit and switch therein for controlling the effectiveness ofthe motor on the valve actuating mechanism; and means operated by the motor after cessation of movement of the valve actuating mechanism for operating said switch to render the motor inoperative to apply force to the valve actuating mechanism.

32'. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements ot the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automaticallydetermining the extents vof movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including means l' by said .motor and valve actuating mechanism ,and for automatically determining the extents ofv movements o! the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including automatic means operated when the motor applies a predetermined torque to the valve actuating mechanism incidental to the seating of the valve for rendering the motor inoperative temporarily to apply force to the valve actuating mechanism, said last-named means being inoperative in the initial unseating of the valve.

34. In a valve 01111D1118 and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing. and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents or! movements oi' the valve in both closing and opening directions. said means4 including automatic means operated when the Vmotor applies a predetermined .torque to the valve actuating incidental to the seating of the Avalve for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative 'A 'to apply power' to the valve actuating mechal uv nism; and other automatic means to prevent op- Y eration ofthe last-'named means'andpermitjthe motor to apply ,torque inexcess of thesaid predeing valve actuating mechanism and a driving mo-l termined torque to `the valve actuating mechanism during the initial opening movement or cracking" of the valve. 35. In a valve control, valve-actuating mechanism; a driving motor therefor; automatic means operated when the motor applies a predetermined torque to thejvalve-actuating mechanism incidental to the seating of the valve for rendering the motor inoperative to apply power to the valveactuating mechanism; means/to prevent operation of the automatic means and permit the -motor to apply torque in excess of the said predetermined torque to the valve-actuating mechanism during the initial openingrmoveinentor cracking oi the valv'e; and means for rendering the last-named means inoperative before the valve reaches the limit of its movement in opening direction.

36. In a valve control, valve-actuating mecha- I nism; a driving motor therefor; automatic means operated when the motor applies a predetermined torque to the valve-actuating mechanism incidental to the seating of the valve for rendering the motor inoperative to apply power to the valve-actuating mechanism; means to prevent operation of the automatic means and permit the anism during the initial opening movement or "cracking of the valve; means for rendering the Vlast-named means inoperative before the valve reaches the limit of its movement in opening direction; and automatic means operated when the motor applies a predetermined torque to the valve-actuating mechanism' inciliental .to the arrival of the valve at the limit of its movement in opening direction for rendering the motor inoperative to apply power to the valve-actuating mechanism.

37. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including automatic means, mechanically operated by the motor when the motor applies a predetermined torque to the valve actuating mechanism incidentalto the arrival of the valve at the limit of its movement in opening direction for rendering the motor inoperative to apply force to the valve actuating mechanism -in opening direction.

' 38. In a valve opening and closing device hav` and for automatically determining the extents oi movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including automatic means operated when the motor applies a predetermined torque to the valve actuating mechanism incidental to the arrival 'of the valve at the limit of its movement in opening direction for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative to -mechanism` operated by the motor and compris- Ving a members-whose characsuch that cessation-oi movement oi one member while the other member is moved by the motor produces an end-thrust movement vof `one of the members; switch means controlled by said end-thrust movement for rendering the motor inoperative to apply power to the valve-actuating mechanism; and means for returning said thrusted member and switch to normal position when the motor has been made inoperative to apply power to the valve-actuating mechanism.

40. Ina valve control, valve-actuating mechanism; a driving motor therefor; meansoperated tory operative-to move the valve-actuatingmechanism in v valve closing direction;

operated when the motor applies a predeterminedandA vmeans torque to the valve actuating mechanism incidental to cessation of movement of the valve and operative on said control means for rendering the motor inoperative to apply force to actuating mechanism.

42. In avalve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor;l means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements vof the valve by said motorand valve actuating mechanism and for "automatically determiningl the ext tents of movements of the valve in both closingv and opening directions, said means including means actuated bythe movement of the motor upon cessation of movement of the valve for rendering the motor temporarily inoperative.

43. In a valve opening and closing device having valve actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically con- -trolling the closing -and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said' means including means operated by the motor upon cessation of movement of the valve in closing direction resulting from an obstruction in the path of the valve,which prevents its closing, for rendering the valvei the motor inoperative temporarily to apply power to the valve in closing direction; and means for automaticallyv rendering the last-named means inoperative upon cessation of movement of the motor to permit the motor to again apply power tothe valve in closing direction to close the valve should the obstruction have been removed in the interim. 1

44. In a valve opening and closing device having valve, actuating mechanism and a driving motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said `means including means operative when the valve is in all positions adjacent closed position for repeatedly operating the motor in valve closing direction without necessitating the reversing of the same to ilrst open the valve to any predetermined pointV or for any predetermined extent.

45. In a valve openingand closing device havingV valve actuating mechanism and a drivingl motor therefor; means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements of the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, saidmeans including means operable at any point 1in the opening movement of the valve for causing the motor to be inoperative to drive the valve actuating mechanism to stop the movementy of the valve, and means for causing the motor to be operative in valve closing direction regardless of the point in its travel where the valve may b e stopped.

46. In a valve opening and closing device hav-v ing valve actuating lmechanism and a driving motor therefor; 'means for automatically controlling the closing and opening movements ofv the valve by said motor and valve actuating mechanism and for 'automatically determining the extents of movements of the valve in both closing and opening directions, said means including means'operable at any point in the movement of the valve f or causing the motor to be inoperative to drive the valve actuating mechanism to stop the valve; and means for causing the rnotor to again be operative on the valve for either opening or closing regardless of the point in its travel where the valve may be stopped.

EDWARD F. CHANDLER. 

